? for Chris Burant

[MTdream]

First, anyone who puts themselves in the hills puts themselves at risk, so, I get that...

However, not carrying the basics...well, IMHO, that is not good at all...The fact others are trying to jump in and say "he knows what he is doing" etc. just creates an illusion that some know more than others, and a different set of rules apply if you "know what you are doing"

Sorry, the hills make the rules, we just grace them...Maye some have forgotten this video....Guy is top of his class, at one of the top schools in the field...getting his Masters in Avy and snow physics...and he dies...I am quite certain he knew more about the hills than Chris...oh and notice, he was riding in the trees too...

Link to video---

To each his own....but when one puts ones self out as an "expert" that others are to follow, they take upon themselves a role model role...whether they like it or not...

 

[smokin800]

I think it is very important that the people that the younger generation looks at needs to set a good example. When I rode with chris he never wore a beacon the three days we rode with him. Don't get me wrong chris is a great guy and is an amazing rider, but he should set a good example. Also I think it is stupid for anybody to think that it is going to be okay if there shovel is in there sled. Just think back to the guys up in sparewood, none of there sleds were anywhere to be found.

 

[skidoorulz]

I think it is very important that the people that the younger generation looks at needs to set a good example. When I rode with chris he never wore a beacon the three days we rode with him. Don't get me wrong chris is a great guy and is an amazing rider, but he should set a good example. Also I think it is stupid for anybody to think that it is going to be okay if there shovel is in there sled. Just think back to the guys up in sparewood, none of there sleds were anywhere to be found.

Think what you want. I'm not stupid! Like I said what if you get in an avy and get your pack ripped off and you can't find it but your sled is sitting out of the snow 20 feet away? What good is all your stuff in your pack going to do for you. To each his own. There is no proof one way or the other which is best.

 

[cookecitybud]

JAYNELSON
"but if you don't ride with the guy I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it"
Your right I dont ride with the guy and He would not be welcomed to ride with me if he is not properly equiped
thats just a rule. So I would turn down a ride with him!!!

I ave been on almost every SAR avalanche in Cooke the last 4 yrs and have yet to see someones pack get ripped off.

Picture this A 16 yr old boy trying to dig out his father with his bear, frozen, cut up, blood dripping hands cus his shovel was in the seat of his sled that got burried and all he had were his hand to dig.

NEVER forget that one

 

[newmy1]

JAYNELSON
"but if you don't ride with the guy I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it"
Your right I dont ride with the guy and He would not be welcomed to ride with me if he is not properly equiped
thats just a rule. So I would turn down a ride with him!!!

I ave been on almost every SAR avalanche in Cooke the last 4 yrs and have yet to see someones pack get ripped off.

Picture this A 16 yr old boy trying to dig out his father with his bear, frozen, cut up, blood dripping hands cus his shovel was in the seat of his sled that got burried and all he had were his hand to dig.

NEVER forget that one

Pretty well sums it up.

 

[Steve D]

I carry a shovel on both my back and my sled. I've grown to really like my pack. That said, I can see people not wanting to wear one. Not sure why someone hasn't come out with a lightweight pack that is capable of holding less. Something very thin, low profile, something like a basic climbing harness that doesn't get in the way. The only thing it holds is basic avy stuff like shovel and probe, not even a pouch - you can store your lunch and tools on your sled.

My probe and shovel handle hang off the sides, and I'll snag them on trees from time to time - annoying.

The other thing is some people don't adjust them to fit properly. You want your shoulders holding the load, not your waist. A good pack (not the one you wore to school) has a small strap up on your chest that keeps the main shoulder straps in place. All said, it should feel snug, like an extension of your jacket.

 

[mtnpull]

I'm pickin up what you're layin down

I'm recycling what your throwing away.

 

[shmuckaluck]

hey guys,
I have seen Chris with and without a pack, but I would think that he always wears a beacon. That little thing on your torso couldn't hamper the way you ride. and if he wears a beacon but doesn't have a shovel or probes, what does it matter. he cant get anybody out.

 

[MTdream]

hey guys,
I have seen Chris with and without a pack, but I would think that he always wears a beacon. That little thing on your torso couldn't hamper the way you ride. and if he wears a beacon but doesn't have a shovel or probes, what does it matter. he cant get anybody out.

the bolded section is the key to me...I want every one on top of the snow to have the stuff necessary to get me if I am buried...And I care for them enough to make sure I have all the stuff necessary to get to them...

trying to dig through snow with your hands is futile, and so, lack of a shovel is a major safety issue...it might be the ONLY thing you can do to get to the person who gets caught...

I take a lot of people out to the hills...I bring spare packs, shovels, beacons, radios etc. with me, and we discuss in advance who has what gear...

IMHO (In my Humble Opinion) a responsible guide will take precautionary measures for the people they take out, not take them out to show them how good they are...

 

[Gmiller]

I'd rather be alive, then worry about my riding skills, but thats just me. Im not a pro so what can i say, basic knowledge of avy's is anywhere, anytime. Beacon, Probe and Shovel in a pack on your back everywhere, everytime.

Not a good example, i agree. But it depends on the film crew and riding buddies i guess, maybe he has a beacon and everyone else hanging around has all the equipment to get HIM out so he can not worry and just get the shots.

ahh who knows? Chris?

 

[xrated]

I think it is very important that the people that the younger generation looks at needs to set a good example. When I rode with chris he never wore a beacon the three days we rode with him. Don't get me wrong chris is a great guy and is an amazing rider, but he should set a good example. Also I think it is stupid for anybody to think that it is going to be okay if there shovel is in there sled. Just think back to the guys up in sparewood, none of there sleds were anywhere to be found.

If it's true that he never wore a beacon....well I wouldn't be paying to ride with him....I won't ride with guys for free with no beacon.

Also if that's true....would there not be legal obligations as a guide to have needed equipment?

Back on topic, I asked this question about no pack awhile ago. Someone got on and said Chris carried his gear in his coat and sled. OK points for having the gear....but all the experts (avy guys, etc) say the single best place is on your body in a pack.

It is personal choice, but if you are guiding in any way shape or form, you have a obligation to those paying you to be prepared to the fullest...would you go out on a charter boat that just had floaties?

I'm not ripping the guy or stating these things about him as fact....it could be any person out riding or guiding. This is all based on what I have heard in the past, etc. Guess we will never know unless Chris shows up here.

 

[snowww1]

It makes a big difference where the avalanche gear is stored. There have been many documented avalanche fatalities where the gear was stored on the sled, the sled was buried (along with another rider) and the rescuer had no shovel or probe to be an effective rescuer. That is why it is emphasized in avalanche classes to carry the gear in a pack. I cannot recall an avalanche accident where a proper fitting pack was ripped from a rider.

The essential avalanche and survival gear goes in pack. If a pack is not comfortable, you have the wrong pack. Get a pack that fits your body and does not shift around. Pack it so it isn't too heavy. Stay away from the glorified book packs.

No one plans their accidents, injuries or mechanical failures. The gear you carry can make all the difference in surviving the night out. Talk to anyone who has spent the night out and see what they carry. Remember you can be 40+ miles from the nearest road, in 6' of snow, with below zero temperatures, and search and rescue takes a long time.

No one ever said the snowmobile movies were a good example of what to do in avalanche terrain. LOL. Many of the movies show exactly what you shouldn't do. I've had a quite a few riders who were in movies attend my avalanche classes. It was an eye opener for many of them and they commented on the changes they were going to make after taking the class.

It's not your riding ability that matters, it's your avalanche knowledge that makes the difference. Who you ride with is extremely important. Who's prepared to help you out in case you get buried? I only ride with people who are properly equipped and trained.

I remember over 10 years ago another rider was giving me a hard time for wearing a pack and asked me why I had one. I replied that I may never need what's in it, but if I do, it can make the difference between life and death. Two days later, I was taking someone's sled across a creek and the bank collapsed as I was going up the other side and I ended up in the water. I figured I would be at the truck in 45 minutes. 15 minutes after that a rider hit a tree and we had to get a Flight for Life helicopter in. The contents in the pack made all the difference in staying warm, treating the injured party and calling in help. Four hours later I was at the truck.

Wear a pack, carry the gear, know how to use it and be educated on avalanches. The sport of snowmobiling has been taken to an entirely new level with the new sleds and riding skills. The risk has increased. We need to increase our avalanche skills and be better prepared.

Mike Duffy- avalanche instructor

www.avalanche1.com

 

[MN_Nole]

I live by what Mike has to say, and I do mean LIVE by, any member of my riding party that does not carry in, the tools needed to save my life, and I have the tools to save theirs. Guess I am staying home or they are. The dangers are there, we do not see them. Is Chris riding unsafe in the videos, yes. Does that not promote unsafe riding, yes.
I posed this same question to an unsafe practice by a midwestern forum riders site, and got banned. Not for this question, but promoting and unsafe riding practice, of 2 men on a hill.
I know Chris makes his way to this forum, and sure he may answer. But the question is, is the choice his or ours. The choice is yours not his, to accept and unsafe riding partner. Did he have a pack and took it off to show ability, or did he not bring it. Questions we do not know. But again the choice is yours.

My 2 cents

 

[AndrettiDog]

A lot of the movies and pics CB is in are onsite shots so judging him on that is tough. I don't know what he rides with, but I know he often has an entourage for his shoots.

Anyway, I ride by what snowww1 says. I always have a pack that has stuff like shovel, probe, headlamp, space blanket and so much more. I could stay the night in the wilderness if I need to. I get someone who makes fun of my pack every year but the the truth be told...I don't think it is that heavy. I use the BCA Float pack and I think it rides great.

Snowww1 will tell you in his class...ride with people that are well equipped or you are just putting your own life on the line.

 

[ReTodd]

Chris...also make sure not to cuss, drink any alcohol or poke smot in any videos cause you are now a role model!

 

[hatchers]

This thread is retorded (movie:hangover)

- I wear a backpack because is has a balloon thingy that will increase my odds of survival during any avy…I would not wear a back pack if not for the balloon………got a seat and storage bag that holds survival and eats and treats.
- my beacon is in my jacket pocket, seems easier to get out and search vs. taking my jacket off and getting naked when a man is down

- im not a online trained certificate holding avy expert…….but I do have a brain that works most of the time and says a few things these avy class gods say is BS

sidenote - Its not Chris’s fault if you are this impressionable

 

[phatty]

When i am being filmed or doing jumps or something extreme, i take my backpack off. If you watch our videos you will notice that no one has packs on in any of the shots. I put my trust in my friends during those shots. If conditions are too bad we don't risk it, its not worth it.

The rest of the time off camera we all ride with packs... its just common sense.

 

[brahm]

I bring different levels of gear depending on the type of riding i'm going to do, and if we stop to take photos we take our packs off. If you only have one chance to get something right or you end up with a tracked out shot.. you want to be as comfortable as possible.

 

[aebsledder]

Try digging this out

Cookecitybud. I don't ride with a backpack not comfortable with them. All my gear is on the sled What differance does it make where your gear is as long as you have it. I've heard all the arguments. What happens if you get seperated from your sled? Ah how is that going to happen? Well you could be in the avalanche also and not get completely buried and get out but then can't help cause you can't find your sled. Yeah you're right but what if I am in the avy and get out myself and the tumbling and carnage of the avalanche rips my backpack off and I can't find it but my sled is 20 feet away with no gear in it. The way I figure it is chances are you or I will not be in an avalanche at the same time your buddy is and it won't matter where your gear is it will only matter that you have the gear and you know how to use it.

This was an avalanche that I was involved in where we messed up BIG TIME and didn't follow rule number one. I feel very fortunate and thankful to be alive. I will tell you this, if one of us would have been completely buried, and we would have had our shovels and gear on our sleds, THAT PERSON WOULD BE DEAD. Always carry your gear on you, someone you know and loves life may depend on it. We were all separated from our sleds at least 30-50 yards.

 

[MTdream]

This thread is retorded (movie:hangover)

- I wear a backpack because is has a balloon thingy that will increase my odds of survival during any avy…I would not wear a back pack if not for the balloon………got a seat and storage bag that holds survival and eats and treats.
- my beacon is in my jacket pocket, seems easier to get out and search vs. taking my jacket off and getting naked when a man is down

- im not a online trained certificate holding avy expert…….but I do have a brain that works most of the time and says a few things these avy class gods say is BS

sidenote - Its not Chris’s fault if you are this impressionable

there is that good ole "I do it this way, so it is ok, and I aint dead yet" logic!! It is always a good argument...and gets lots of people killed due to ignorance (fill in the blank on the subject, seatbelts, drinking and driving, russian roulette, crack, bending over in prison, etc.)